Presidential decree on electoral law faced rejection by MPs

“The majority … have rejected the order, because our term has ended and we cannot approve legislations,” said Nazir Hanafi, head of the legislative committee of the Wolesi Jirga.

“We are not authorized to include the order into the agenda as per guidelines of the constitution, therefore, we cannot approve or reject a legislation or an order,” said Assadullah Saadati, an MP from Daikundi.

Meanwhile, Wolesi Jirga Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said: “Except for 11 green cards, the decree was rejected with a majority of votes.”

This comes after the Wolesi Jirga had rejected Ghani’s other decree on the amendment of the law on structure, functions and responsibilities of electoral commissions last week.

A number of lawmakers meanwhile rejected Saturday’s move by their colleagues and said it will delay the electoral reform process.

“The Lower House had the authority to reject the election law and approve the law on job descriptions and authorities of the election commissions, this was a positive move to bring about reforms on election law,” said Mohammad Abduh, head of judicial commission of Wolesi Jirga.

But electoral watchdogs say the dream of bringing electoral reforms will not come true as two decrees have been rejected by the Lower House of Parliament so far.

Bringing amendments to the electoral laws is deemed the first step in bringing reforms in electoral bodies; however, it is not known yet what will be the fate of electoral reforms as well as the parliamentary and district councils’ elections.